❓ Hon Neil Thomson questions the Minister for Health regarding the lack of fines issued for illegal vape sales, despite alleged widespread availability near schools, and seeks information on departmental investigations and enforcement efforts. The Minister declines to provide specific details due to ongoing investigations and clarifies that custodial penalties fall under Commonwealth law.
AnsweredQoN 633Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Tobacco and vapes—Illegal sales
633. Hon Neil Thomson to
the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I note the minister's
answer to my question 587 on 20 August stating there has not been a single fine
issued for the illegal sale of vapes in Western Australia since 1 January 2025.
(1) Is the minister aware that vapes are being
sold over the counter from more than one retail outlet within a few metres of
at least one school in Perth, suggesting this practice is probably repeated
across the state?
(2) Can the minister table a list of stores at
which her department has observed illegal sales of vapes?
(3) Does the minister's department have any idea
of the scale of wholesaling and warehousing of vapes in Western Australia?
(4) If yes to (3), please table this information.
(5) Has the minister's department achieved any
convictions on the possession of commercial quantities of vapes since 1 January
2025, noting the maximum penalty is three years imprisonment; and, if not, why
not?
633. Hon Neil Thomson to
the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I note the minister's
answer to my question 587 on 20 August stating there has not been a single fine
issued for the illegal sale of vapes in Western Australia since 1 January 2025.
(1) Is the minister aware that vapes are being
sold over the counter from more than one retail outlet within a few metres of
at least one school in Perth, suggesting this practice is probably repeated
across the state?
(2) Can the minister table a list of stores at
which her department has observed illegal sales of vapes?
(3) Does the minister's department have any idea
of the scale of wholesaling and warehousing of vapes in Western Australia?
(4) If yes to (3), please table this information.
(5) Has the minister's department achieved any
convictions on the possession of commercial quantities of vapes since 1 January
2025, noting the maximum penalty is three years imprisonment; and, if not, why
not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided by the Minister for Health.
(1)–(4) The Department of Health is not
able to release information collected as part of investigations conducted under
state legislations on alleged offences.
(5) Custodial penalties and commercial quantity
offences for vapes apply under Commonwealth law.
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided by the Minister for Health.
(1)–(4) The Department of Health is not
able to release information collected as part of investigations conducted under
state legislations on alleged offences.
(5) Custodial penalties and commercial quantity
offences for vapes apply under Commonwealth law.
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